New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins: Top 5 Takeaways From Week 17
By Hal Bent
The New England Patriots were able to finish their regular season with a 14-2 record after a win against the Miami Dolphins. What were five takeaways from the win?
The New England Patriots closed out the regular season with a 35-14 victory over the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. The Patriots jumped out to a 20 to zero first half lead before the Dolphins sandwiched two touchdown drives around halftime (along with a missed 52-yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski) to make it a one-score game.
The Patriots took care of business after that with Tom Brady finding Julian Edelman on a short pass which turned into a 77-yard touchdown. When the Dolphins tried to mount a drive to get back in the game down 13 points, inside the ten-yard line running back Damien Williams got popped by Devin McCourty and the fumble was scooped up by Shea McClellin who rumbled 69-yards to set-up the final score and effectively end the game.
With an exciting finish to the season and ending a three-game losing streak in Miami, the Patriots were able to lock-up the top seed in the AFC. This clinched home-field advantage for New England and potentially hosting the AFC Championship Game. With a strong finish–in contrast to last season–the Patriots finished the 2016 NFL regular season 14-2.
Here are five takeaways from Sunday afternoon’s victory: